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Recently we saw some books published, it’s a humble attempt to add to the efforts of reviving Eritrean literature, and uncovering history. That we consider a promising development.

A few weeks ago, Mr. Semere Beyene, the SBS journalist launched a book entitled “Hulfet”, then Mr. Hailesellassie Woldu launched his much-awaited book, the historical biography of Hamid Idris Awate—a book that was covered in one of awate.com’s columns. That was followed by news of the upcoming book authored by Mr. Berhane Abrehe, the former Eritrean minister of finance, who is the inspiration and topic for this editorial.

Berhane’s books are an exception because he addresses the prevailing Eritrean political quagmire and challenges dictator head on. He summarized the outline of his two books in an audio-visual recording that he issued, explaining the intention and motivation for writing the books, basically asking (and warning) the Eritrean dictator Isaias Afwerki to step down.

We strongly believe the step in itself is a bold, timely move. It’s also a risky undertaking. Eritreans have a recollection of what happened to those who in the past challenged Isaias Afwerki, the unelected man who has been ruling Eritrea alone, with an iron fist, for the last 27 years. Isaias’ reign of terror has almost emptied the country of its youth, it has destroyed the fabric of the Eritrean family unit, he re-engineered the society according to his whims with devastating consequences the effect of which has almost crippled the country. The social landmines he planted might explode anytime are buried all over the place. Some have already exploded, others on the verge of exploding, and still others are hidden and it’s anybody’s guess when they will explode. Those mines are very dangerous and could become a source of anxiety and frustration for a long time to come.

From his introductory speech, Berhane seems to be confident; no sane person takes such a bold step if not confident of a firm support behind him. However, because of the clandestine arrangements of such a support, if at all it exists, its nature is not known. In the past, many such initiatives ended disastrously, and their initiators were crushed brutally.

The fact that a book published in Eritrea becomes such a controversial issue is illustrative of the suffocating environment and how badly the intellectual capacity of Eritreans has been damaged. It shows that the concept of freedom of expression is non-existent. And that is one of the many problems that Eritreans wish to change.

Eritreans have been subjected to cruel treatment, humiliation, imprisonment, and exile as soon shortly after their country was supposedly liberated. Teachers who were snatched from Keren over two decades ago have disappeared. Many others were kidnapped from Sudan and have also disappeared. Scores were assassinated in the streets of Sudanese and Ethiopian cities. The entire society was disoriented, confused if that was anything close to the freedom for which they waged long years of bloody struggle. But the independence euphoria stood on the way and Isais consolidated his power and became the authoritarian ruler that he is today. But there existed some expression of resistance and opposition since the early days after independence.

Immediately after the referendum* in 1993, combatants went on strike demanding their rights to be respected. The strike was triggered as soon as Isaias announced that all combatants were expected to continue working with no pay for two more years. In an unprecedented move, the combatants “arrested Isaias” and took him to the Asmara stadium where he sweet-talked his way out to freedom. Soon after, many of the combatants who were suspected of instigating the strike were either arrested, or disappeared, or eliminated, or silently liquidated.

In 1993, handicapped veterans of the struggle-era were mowed down mercilessly; some were killed while sitting in their wheelchairs at Maihabar, a village where they lived. They made a mistake of demonstrating to bring to the attention of the public to their situation. They were appealing to the rulers to improve their miserable livening conditions and the pay attention to the inadequate support that was provided to them.

In 1998, the border war with Ethiopia was instigated and the bloodbath stopped in 2000 after tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed or misplaced from both sides. Eritrea alone lost close to twenty thousand lives and over a hundred thousand people were misplaced. In the aftermath, a group of cabinet ministers, army commanders, and others challenged Isaias to change his governing style and to stop taking unilateral and destructive decision. He reacted by imprisoning the prominent leaders who came to be known as G15, some of whom were his colleagues for decades. Today, almost two decades later, their whereabouts still unknown.

At the same time, as the world was busy following the 911 incidents in the USA, Isaias shut down the budding free press arresting all journalists, editors, publishers, and reporters were arrested together with the G15. To this day no one knows their whereabouts and the only media outlets in the country–television, radio, and newspapers–are owned by the government and are engaged in partisan propaganda.

In what came to be known as Forto Operation, On January 21, 2013, Colonel Saeed Ali Hijay, a veteran of the armed struggle era, led a small contingent and occupied the ministry of information building to effect change—he was betrayed by some insiders and he was summarily executed with scores of his colleagues.

In 2017, Hajji Musa stirred the patriotism of many people when he defiantly rejected the government’s interference in the affairs of a private school whose board of directors he chaired. Hajji Musa was arrested causing wide demonstrations in Asmara–the first of its kind in the streets of the capital city since the workers and student strikes of the 1960s. In February 2018, Hajji Musa died in prison, his funeral was attended by thousands who were provoked at the burial grounds by security officers. That provocation led to the arrest of so many people, some of them underage children, old people, and women.

Now as Berhane comes with his firebrand announcement and a book, we question what his fate will be. Could taking a step against Berhane cause embarrassment for Isaias who is involved in a pseudo-peace agreement in the neighborhood, and has established good relations with the Ethiopian prime minister under the patronage of United Arab Emirates? Would he tolerate Berhane who is challenging him in streets of Eritrea that he had choked for 27 years? Or, would he resort to his natural manner and arrest Berhane? Would the arrest of Berhane, if it happens, be similar to the arrests of the past and be forgotten after a short time? Would it stir a reaction from patriots in the country, the army, and the conscripts?

Such questions cannot be answered conclusively, but the scenario can be deduced from the above outline. In the diaspora, however, the mood is one of jubilation, of determination, hope, and inspiration. While the international community is naively awaiting to see the impossible–Issias changing his spots and make peace with his people

We at awate.com support any step taken by any Eritrean in pursuit of freedom, justice, and rule of law. For that reason, we support and call on all Eritreans inside Eritrea and in the Diaspora to support Berhane in his pursuit of freedom and in his challenging Isaias Afwerki to step down. We fully support any step that leads to a transformational change in Eritrea. And since sooner or later we believe change will come to Eritrea, we wish that any group that effects change should be wise and just enough, magnanimous enough, and compassionate enough not to derail the goals of the Eritrean people for its narrow interests. At the same time, we appeal to Eritreans not to be obsessed with their secondary demands, grievances, bitterness, or rivalry. Nothing should stand in the way of change whose priority is unseating the dictator.

We appeal to the leaders of all Eritrean opposition parties and organizations, Eritrean intellectuals and professionals, Eritrean social segments, including women, students, and refugees, all religious leaders, Eritrean writers, and journalists, to rally in support of Mr. Berhane who is sticking his neck for the sake of change in Eritrea. Our collective support is vital because, without it, Isaias will have no qualms in squashing him like he did with previous Eritreans who attempted to effect change in the country. We should not allow the pattern of cruelty to continue. This is the time that all Eritreans must stand in unison—asking “where has he been all these years?” is counter-productive. Everyone has his own circumstances. Now is a time to rid our country of the nightmarish governance and end the cruelty that our people have been subjected to for too long.

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So far, no agreement has been reached between the Eritrean and Ethiopian governments regarding the …

saay7

Sam:

The most damning of course is also the most recent:

“There is nothing to be hopeful about this country [Eritrea]” -IA, Jan 2018, Eri-TV

saay

Sam

Hi Saay,

I don’t know how I could’ve missed that part. I hope, in pursuit of hope, he packs up and leave us, the hopeless, alone.

Sam

saay7

Hey Sam:

The ramblings of the man are always crazy and in any country or company he would be forced to resign. But there’s an abused wife syndrome in the Eritrean body politic (whose prevalence is more than it ought to be) which not only doesn’t demand he resign but tells us he is indispensable.

saay

Sam

Hello Saay,

There is of course another dimension to his indispensability presumed or otherwise. Earned through calculated recklessness, it is sell-fulfilling. Even the politically astute would think twice before denying him that description for reasons of expediency if not meritorious considerations. Demanding resignation? It was tried and miserably failed. Neo-EPLFites and their universal handicap, Sahel-style dialogue (niredadae), is no much for his I shoot first and ask later.

Sam

saay7

Selamat Sam:

Interesting theory. If I understood you correctly, I think what you are saying is that this is based on some psych profile the US did that the best way to get IA to reverse course from the isolation path he was on is by flattering him into thinking that they also think he is as grand as he think he is just to get him to loose the reins a bit but that they have no intention of trusting him with anything major?

Who said the following:

1. I hate to sound like a colonialist but this neighborhood need presence of a big power to hold it together;
2. I will only consider improvents in Eritreans human rights within context of improved relations with US;
3. China should play a role befitting it’s economic size;
4. The most dangerous thing that happened to the world is US hegemonic attitude and unipolarism
5. Trumps a refreshing voice and that’s why huge voices are arrayed against him.

Saay

saay7

Selamat Sam:

I was enjoying the flow of your narration (where is Sir Amde and why hasn’t he acknowledged it? I have noticed the guy has been acting uppity since he was knighted) but not following the thread.

First of all, did you actually say Isaias shouldn’t have been surprised about the Debretsion ambush in Zalambesa because the news of the event was all over social media? You are talking about a government (Eritrean) which doesn’t trust communicating by phone much less social media. The reason that Yemane Gebremeskel says whatever he says on twitter is because nobody in the presidents office (much less the Prez) has a twitter account. We are still in 1987 in Eritrea.

Secondly, according to the bubble Isaias and Isaiasits live in, (a) they were responsible for Abiy becoming PM and (b) the TPLF has been buried 6 feet under. At Zalambesa, their world collided with their real world and then they did what they do best: they blocked it out of sight. All the touching family reunions, all the underage looking Eritrean soldiers dancing with the huge Ethiopian soldiers never made it to Eri-TV.

(Also, while you are at it, please fire the MC: he is annoying his voice is grating and he has nothing to say but he insists on saying it very loudly.)

To the serious business of Isaias vulnerability. Yes you are right, ones subjective statement of mind on whether one believe one us vulnerable is not same as the objective presence or absence of it. What I am trying to say is that he will attempt using all the tools in the toolbox to minimize outflow of his own people and maximize the inflow of Ethiopians (money money money) but in the end as he keeps telling you guys and you refuse to believe him as fast as he is concerned it’s one big country and the borders (even after demarcation, which are just going to be posts and pebbles) doesn’t matter. Do you think those little kids you saw (the national service who haven’t managed to escape) want to wage a revolution or just shed their clothes and live their lives?

His focus is all external and in that regard he has found an extremely rich sugar daddy who can help alleviate a lot of the pressure points (housing, employment, demobilization money)

saay

Sam

Selam Saay,

Sir Amde? Don’t worry. He will get off his ivory tower once he realizes knighting is going for a dime a dozen in his neck of the woods.

Did you hear by the way that a controlled chaos is going to be allowed for ten days with people and merchandise getting in and out of each country FREELY? An attempt at curbing the people’s enthusiasm by a control freak won’t be as easy as its perfect look on paper. Once people taste what the outside world (yeah a country right next door is the outside world) has to offer, it will prove to be very difficult if not impossible to undo.

Sam

saay7

Hey Sam:

I think Isaias will handle the dissolution of border better than Isaiasists. Here’s why:

1. Eritreans going to Ethiopia: Both Isaias and Isaiasits have made it clear that Eritreans emptying out of the country is of no concern to them. Isaias said they are out on a picnic; and Isaiasists said they are not Eritreans anyway: they are Ethiopians pretending to be Eritreans.

2. Ethiopians going to Eritrea: Isaias loves it because they bring money with them. Isaiasists never calculated that Ethiopians include Tigrayans and that some Tigrayans are still fans of TPLF. They foam at the mouth with all sorts of hateful bile coming out of their mouths but it’s ok because they are hagerawian.

saay

Amde

Hey Sam,

“Sir Amde? Don’t worry. He will get off his ivory tower once he realizes knighting is going for a dime a dozen in his neck of the woods.”

Reminds me of when everybody was being referred to as
“… የተከበሩ…” .. so much so that one starts pining for “…ያልተከበሩ…”

So many activists are coming back to Ethiopia now that we have transitioned from.. ..”…ዝነኛው..” to .. “…ያልተዘመረለት…”

As you were…

Amde

saay7

Sir Amde:

Wait. Please tell me ያልተዘመረለት is not a real word and your peeps didn’t literally translate “unsung” and you just made it up. Right? Right?

saay

Amde

Haha Saay,

Au contraire mon frere… very much real.

I actually prefer ያልተዘመረለት over Unsung..

It seems we have a new generation with hundreds of heroes and sheroes. It’s refreshing.

Now that Abiy has invited everybody to the dance, I expect 2011 አም.. (curiously I heard Abiy pronounce it as አም.. and not as “አመተ ምህረት”).. to be full of stepping on toes and elbows in noses. So.. many heroes and sheroes will be pedestaled and depedestalated. Curious already about ነሀሴ 2011.

In the mean time.. we sing.. እንዘምርላቸዋለን።

Amde

saay7

Selamat Amde:

Are these jukebox heroes with stars in their eyes?

saay

Eyob Medhane

Sal,

Actually…no .Amde did not make it up..We have that word..

Sam

Ato Amde,

የተከበሩ is in short supply in the lion’s quarters. If any, it’s always used in its plurality. Used in its singular form, it makes his highness feel less የተከበሩ. Forget የተከበሩ he denied his coffee buddy a title he had to wrestle for. His choice title to put him in his place? Dr Abiy. Thank goodness Abiy has an alternative (apolitical) title. He was spared sharing Obama’s title, ‘that one!’

But the award for the doozy of all time in the Terms of Endearment & Co. category, hands down, goes to the infamous HM speech. For a speech that was off to a good start with ውድ የኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ ሆይ to descend into ከቶ ምን ይሻላል? ወርቅ ቢያነጥፉለት ፋንድያ ነው የሚል ህዝብ ነው was hilarious.

This is what I am talking about. To counter this should be the priority:

“…he will attempt using all the tools in the toolbox to minimize outflow of his own people and maximize the inflow of Ethiopians (money money money) but in the end as he keeps telling you guys and you refuse to believe him (An ESST reporter just said that IA had told him years ago that it’s hard for him to conceive the two countries as separate entities) as far as he is concerned it’s one big country and the borders (even after demarcation, which, spoiler alert, are just going to be posts and pebbles which will be knocked over by grazing livestock) doesn’t matter.”

But you are bussy with sam now and i am enjoying the back and forth of the two of you…

tSAtSE

Paulos

Selam Sam,

I saw a tweeter that says, why would Isaias want to humiliate Eritrean soldiers as the tweeter shows a footage of Eritrean soldiers falling-in a long line on both sides of the road to Zalambessa. They look resigned as if they surrendered after a bitter battle and marching in to an enemy camp for rehabilitation. The military fatigue didn’t help at all either.

FishMilk

Hi Paulos. Shame on you for disrespecting Eritrea’s proud and brave soldiers! You have already claimed you love affair with the TPLF.

saay7

Selamat Sam:

I don’t know is any of what you described shows he is vulnerable.

Here’s what I surmrised:

1. He was expecting the Zalambesa opening to be as low key as the Burie opening. Just a few people lined up to greet their kings and to be acknowledged;
2. Instead, what happened at Zalambesa is a blow-up party: music, sponsors, and the regional administrator (Debretsion) taking charge.
3. Isaias felt ambushed and wanted to get out as soon as he could. But in the great melee (there is actually a YouTube video of the moment things went out of control) it became a full fledged family reunion and conscripts dancing.
4. You can see the huge difference in how EriTV and Tigray TV (and by extension, Ethiopian TV) covered the event.
5. This is more of the “game over” “wanna play again” mating dance PFDJ and TPLF are doing with Abiy stuck in the middle. Briefly: Isaias plans to triangulate TPLF into irrelevance by establishing close relations with Oromia and Amhara (next week the speaker of the house of Amhara region is taking a huge delegation for a two week stay in Eritrea)* and Debretsion says he will force himself on the relationship because the constitution allows him to.
6. Isaias focus is not Eritrea (“if not for avoidance of hopelessness, there is nothing hopeful about this country”, he told Eritreans in Janauary 2018.) it’s not even Ethiopia. It’s not even Horn of Africa. It is the whole of East Africa: EAC Plus HoA.
7. Not the kind of guy who is thinking of retirement. But he wants someone h can trust to run this small little thing called Eritrea. But who? How will he make this crazy ambitition work?
8. I think it’s Saudi Arabia and Emirates who have promised massive amounts of funding to be the hegemons of East Africa. And he is their nominee.

saay

Aligaz G

Sam

Well done. Democracies generally pursue peace and dictatorships thrive in wars. Ethiopia seeking peace with Eritrea is not appeasement because of the obvious power dynamics. Inducing a totalitarian nation to open up has long been seen as a precursor move to democratization. It is actually a little worrying because this wholesale medemer maneuver maybe beyond the PFDJ ability to manage. Who knows maybe Isaias will see the light and convert. Maybe TPLF will start to open up and release thousands of prisoners from torture dungeons. Maybe free press in Mekele. Anyway so many things still left to do. Una faccia una razza.

Berhe Y

Hi Hope,

If I have too much negativism and Paranoia, then you have too much optimism from IA.

You see IA relatives lived very long life (like his cousin who is 87 and still has his brain in tact, though he said he doesn’t drink like fish)…so who know. IA can live for another 20 years…

You are the doctor so you should know…that psychopath like IA live long life because they have no regret in killing and have a good sleep as if nothing happened.

That’s why most dictators have a very, very long life.

So all fronts should be towards fighting IA and removing him from power, like what Minster Abraha is doing. He will not hand over anything willingly. All these kisses and hugs is prove to us that, IA will never run out of excuse to stay in power and prove to those who gave him the benefit of the doubt “because of boarder crowd like you” that it was all empty talk all along.

Economic integration, political integration is not urgent for Eritrea as it needs to pick up itself first and need to build it’s human capital. Rule of law should be the first order of business. By these I don’t mean Eritrea doesn’t need to make economic relationship with it’s neighbors, yes it should according proper norms and standards. All these back door dealing IA doing is going to come and bite us sooner or later.

Berhe

Abraham H.

Selam Berhe, I think DIA is very weak these days, helathwise. Did you see the interview he conducted in Asseb with a certain foreign tv? In that interview, you could see how much he is struggling even to utter the words; also he looks very thin and frail. I give the despot a maximum of 3 years from now, he is almost dead this evil ceature.

Paulos

Selam Abraham,

For a reason only the experts know, the mind plays tricks on us where it makes us see the things we would like to see. Isaias is certainly getting old but not sick. In fact, he looks a lot younger and great for his age. Did you see how brisk he was walking yesterday on the border along side Abiy and others. That is a sign of robustness and certainly not frailty or weakness.

Abraham H.

Dear Paulos, actually, I’m often confused about DIA’s appearances. Sometimes he appears to me very weak, as in the video I referred to, while at other times he seems way younger for his age. I think the brisk walkig that he always exhibits is part of his tactic to show the people that he is strong and in control, Also I think being very tall, I don’t know whether he is nearly two meters tall, helps him to seem walking faster. But let’s also remember that Isayas has lived in luxury his entire life, even during those dark years of Sahel, he knew how to indulge himself; he was often on tours abroad.

David Samson

Hi Abi,

I did not know Africa has lions. Rumour has it —the sighting of these endangered species in the past. Since I have not seen them, and I do not make an investment decision based on hearsay, I will use you as a ‘Guinee pig’ to test the market. I will keep an eye on what appears to be a volatile market.

Mitiku Melesse

Hei, All!
The two governments have done miracles. The gossipers on this page were busy predicting Armageddon. And now what can gossipers do? Finding faults and try to come up with another story which keeps the gossip attracts more people.

What do the opposite of gossipers? They do a responsible deed like yesterday.

This is what i tell for the gossipers. Your political stand can not be greater than your country peace.

Paulos

Selam Dr. Hope,

Fana Brod. is reporting that, both sides have already started withdrawing [Soldiers] from the border and hope that will follow with an immediate demarcation and bringing back Sawa to 18 months.

saay7

Selamat Paulos:

If you listened to Abiys brief interview in Zalambesa, he says that as of today our soldiers are returning back to their camp. He says that we in Addis don’t know it but life in a state of alert is hard: it ages you. Then when he is done, he asks the journalists if they have any questions, and they had none and you can hear him say “ኣመለጣችሁ”: you are missing out. He was ready to break news.

But he didn’t want to go out of his way to do it because Isaias was already in a grumpy mood. I told someone that some lucky press is going to actually break the news and I guess it was Fana. Did they describe it as amazing, stunning, fantastic news?

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
2-3 month ago 3A said ethiopia accepted the eebc decision without preconditions, today he said ethiopia soldiers r starting moving out of the border area as of today.
Which means the border demarcation work already started as of today in a spirit of win win for both side and in a spirit of peace and on the occasion of celebrating the new year.

saay7

Teodros:

1. It was 3 months ago (June 5):
2. He said he and Isaias had previously agreed they would do this on Ethiopia’s new year (we weren’t told then)
3. He said the Ethiopian troops are withdrawing to their base (Isaias hasn’t talked to the Eritrean people since June 20)
4. Ethiopian media is saying actually both Ethiopia and Eritrea troops are redeploying (we didn’t hear it from Eritrean media.)

Happy new year. And thanks Ethiopia for keeping us informed about Eritrea.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
Am saying this from my experience of eprdf propaganda medias.
Eprdf knows there r people who can be unhappy about demarcate the border according to eebc ruling, so they have to make it look like celebration peace and a win win for both sides.
Eri media and gov have different styles of approach, is it unusual?

saay7

Teodros

“Business as usual” is right. And business is bad. EriTV policy:

Anything that shows IA in the best light is good
Anything that shows the world light is good (creates contrast)
Anything that show good events outside Isaias control did not exist.

Ergo, the moving pictures of Eritreans and Tigrayans hugging and kissing today (Tigray TV) did not air on EriTV. Their hugging and kissing was not approved by IA.

EriTV also named all the Ethiopian officials who attended the Bure road opening but not the Zalambesa road opening. (Because Debretsion was there.)

It also mentioned all the Eritrean officials who attended the event. Except one: abraham Isaias Afwerki.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
1st, the border area people r not just tigraign people but also afar, kunama, erob people too,(for get welkyet for now)
I haven’t seen it from eri tv but i think they trying to show that the peace deal is between ethiopia and eritrea and don’t forget most of the animosity for the last 20 years was between eri and tplf.
The point is, it is not about eri vs tigrai relationship, it is about the whole of ethiopia vs the whole of eritrea relationship.
Even debrestsion himself said “we r with the 3A gov on the two countries relationship”.
And tigrai tv is tplf media which is tplf still is part of eprdf and what they trying to do is, telling the people of tigrai it is a win win and new year celebration.

saay7

Teodros:

I didn’t say the “border” area. I specifically said Zalambesa road distinct from Bure road.

The part you don’t get, you will never get, and I have no interest in giving you examples is that the PFDJ is even worse than TPLF when it comes to protecting its own people. . It is a predator which hunts, kills, tortures its own people.

But the PFDJ is very proud of you because you are a good advocate. I recommend you go to Eritrea, come back and tell us (like AMMA TV does) fluff news.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
I already told u my guess about eri media and how come u don’t get it, it is about the whole of eri and ethio relationship? And how come u don’t get it, 3A gov priorities r to protect its own country interest?
What about AmmA tv guys? I haven’t seen them. R they fluff news? Tell me what i don’t know about not just them but the whole of ethiopia media?

saay7

Teodros:

You are telling me what everybody knows: dr Abiys job description.

What I am telling you is what you don’t appear to know: a citizens duty. I am telling you based on my observation Isaias PFDJ are about advancing their interest not Eritreans interest. And you keep using Eritreans, Eritrea, PFDJ, “PIA” interchangeably. It’s because you do that I told you that you would be a good PFDJ advocate.

If you are curious you can find AMMA interviewing its own reporters of what they observed in Eritrea.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
So u agree 3A(ethio gov) is doing his duty, if u agree with that, my bad for telling u 3A job description.
What about do u agree the peace deal between ethiopia and eri , is between eri and ethio, not just tigrai? And do u think the new peace deal, don’t protect eri interst? And how?
U have to remember the new peace deal is about economy integration, Border demarcation according to eebc, peace instead of war, not interference on the sovereign of each countries and so on . and the deal is also included somalia .

saay7

Teodros:

To be continued when I have time. Meanwhile maybe others can explain to you this:

1) yes the deal is between Eritrea and Ethiopia
2) the densest population in the border beteeen Eritrea and Ethiopia and the ones most impacted by peace between the two countries are the Tigrinya speakers of both countries (at the people-to-people level)
3) all the strutting and peacocking between TPLF and PFDJ has impacted them the most. (Simple math)

So when the two are done game-over, we won, no you didn’t etc etc, peace will have the most impact on the day-to-day lives of the people I mentioned. Abiy understands that. I am not sure Abiymaniacs understand that because they are too busy telling us about hyenas and what time of day it is. It’s up to the people of Tigray to determine if they want to kick TPLF to the dustbin of history just like it is up to the people of Eritrea to throw the PFDJ criminals out of power. In these overlapping circles there are overlapping interests: advancing Ethiopia’s interest requires Abiy to turn a blind eye to PFDJ IA crimes. Advancing my people’s interests requires me to put a spotlight on it. What is unhelpful and condescending is you telling me what I know, or worse, you telling me 3 months after a peace treaty that has seen 0 changes in the lives of Eritreans that somehow somewhere all the regional changes will have a trickle down effect on my people. It’s good enough for you (from Ethiopia’s perspective all you want is stability in Eritrea not liberty); it’s not good enough for me.

Wadahanka.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam.Saay7
I told u before i know ur concern on the democratization(dictatorship) of eri but giving the history of the two countries that should be eri people concern.
2nd, the people in the border area will benefit way way by far from peace, not from war. Only the egocentric people like abi, horizon,kim, aman and some other few tplfist will lose from peace.

Paulos

Selam Sal,

Perhaps your theory of stealth confederation is still holding where “stunning, amazing and fantastic” news item as in the withdrawal of soldiers by both sides is eluding Hawelti. So much!

saay7

Ha Paulos:

I was making fun of Fanas fondness for superlatives. In this case they underplayed it: judging by Ethiopian media, the new year celebration is much more newsworthy. For Eritreans, because we don’t celebrate the day as a holiday, you would think redeployment of troops would be Wall-to-Wall news and celebration but in Eritrea, the State is the man, and the Man is not in a good mood since Debretsion ruined it: I am going to make this a big event, carry it on Tigray TV and force you to shake hands. And, make you stand up to pay tribute to the fallen, specially those who fell fighting our common enemy (the Derg.). You could see the steam coming out of Isaias ears because he walked into a trap and his little brother (Abiy) couldn’t rescue him.

So far, everything is happening in Ethiopia’s terms. That is consistent with confederation with the peripheral state (in this case Eritrea) playing catch up on events that affect it more.

saay

Paulos

Sal,

I am sure you will grace us with a crisp article on Digest particularly about Debretsion’s poignant and cerebral speech where it was intended for Isaias.

1. On the ጥልመት factor: He reiterated that TPLF to its credit never wavered on its stand about Eritrean struggle for independence. More over, he said ተጋደልቲ ሕዋሓት ኣብ ሳሕል ምስ ኤሪትራውያን ብጾቶም ወዲቖም፣

4. More over, Isaias came to the game over land with nothing to show for but with a cruel reminder of 100 thousand refugees not very far from where he was standing.

One couldn’t help it but wonder if Isaias [as he was walking across the border] thought about those young Eritreans who fell victims of bullets as they tried to cross the border with in the last 17 years or so. One wonders!

Alex

Hi Paulos,
Try not to tell us about Debretsion’s hallow speech. We majority Eritreans will not forget what TPLF did to Eritrea in the last 20 years. You are just a TPLF apologist and sympathizer to begin with and nothing that comes from you is credible.

Blink

Dear Alex
He is more pumped up by the words he read from the spin master and the spin master as always know it all guy is trying very hard to make his views relevant while no one really cares especially these days . We better wait because TPLF has been always about small things from the beginning. I wish Meles was alive and sick on wheelchair. Just wanted to inform you that the spin master will go vocabulary shopping. What he can not change is the peace process. From no medemer Geneva to confederation . What a crazy time .

Saba

Hi Saay7,
I think you are reading it literally but not seriously.
This is similar to your reading of “one people two countries” as “one people one country”.

saay7

Hey Saba:

Maybe. But now I will wait patiently ( take all the time you need) where Isaias said “one people two countries”

saay

Hameed Al-Arabi

Salam Saba,

What will be your stance if Isaias tomorrow say, “One People One Country”? I think a guy who said,”Guide Me, I will follow you” is easy for him to say, “One People One Country”. Relate “one people two countries” with “Guide Me” and you will get it possible that one day in the near future he will reverse “One People Two Countries” to “One People One Country” very easily. If you don’t expect that you have just to listen until your brain gets enough training and skill of thinking independently and logically.

Berhe Y

Hi Hamid,

The Ethiopian general head of the Ethiopian army spoke about Ethiopia developing its navy forces.

I have also heard on VOA I think, Ethiopia made bid to run Massawa port operations.

My guess is that Ethiopia will have its base some where in Eritrea. Probably between Assab and Massawa.

And remember, Ethiopia (suppose to have won the bid to transport Eritrea minerals to China). A Chinese company is in the process of buying Nevsun.

The Australian mining company Caluli something (which Eritrea government owns shares) who is doing potash mining in Denkel went public in the UK not long ago. It too will need lots of port services.

Ethiopia has also potash mining in the Afar region which probably use Eritrea to export.

There is IGAD meeting tomorrow where Isayas and Djibouti president are expected to attend along all other leaders in Addis. It’s likely that they will sign a peace deal with Djibouti.

That will be a good reason to lift sanctions, if Eritrea gets from all IGAD members and probably from Russia and the US.

So from Eritrea economic points, this is all good development. But the ERITREAN people need also to rip the benefits, not slave labour, indefinite national services and Isayas Afeworki hidden swiss accounts.

Berhe

Paulos

Selam My Good People,

Soldiers from both sides were hitting the ground to a song and the mood was up and dandy with kisses and hugs [In Zalambessa.] The question is what will be the reason for keeping the National Service way over 18 months.

Nitricc

Hey P; NONE!!! but you got give them time. For every national and political demand, PIA answer was, ” we are in war” Now it is over and everything should be fine and back to normality.

Paulos

Nitrikay,

Sure. How long is “give them sometime?”

Nitricc

Hey P:
Demarcate the border NOW
Releasing the prisoners should be September 18th.
Limiting National military service 31 round should be at
home and thereafter back to 18 months!
Demobilizing the Army should be planed and orderly within one year; Then back to the real political business and to the rule of law.

Nitricc

Greetings all: I just watched PMAA giving speech for the so called Ethiopian New Year; and I see PMAA is wearing Ethiopian and Eritrean flag t-shirt, what is all about? That is all good and dandy. NOW PLEASE DEMARCATE THE BORDER!!!!!! And then you can go back to all AZ kissing all you want. DEMARCATE THE FREAKING BORDR!!!!

Berhe Y

Hi Nitricc,

I do feel sorry for you sometimes…Now you want to blame PMAA for IA failing to release prisoners, reconcile with the opposition and end the national services…in other words, you still want an excuse for IA to continue to run things business as usual.. and for that you want to blame Abiy….

It can take 20 years if it has to..as long as the people are free to move between the two countries, as long as there is no war between the armies..leave it to the experts and the lawyers to do it…

Let Eritrea focus on it’s internal issue now, the same way Ethiopia is doing…

You should know what people resort to when they feel they have nothing to lose….that’s what Eritreans are being forced to now…

Berhe

Teodros Alem

Selam berhe
Border demarcation is very important for ethiopia too, it is very important for permanent peace and very important for future true peace. Even if they don’t need border between the two countries, still they have to demarcate the border first to avoid future misunderstanding.

Berhe Y

Hi Teodros,
I know, we know and everyone knows it that the boarder demarcation is important. It’s technical matter that should be left to the experts and the politicians and the lawyers. If there is a good will between the two governments (as it seems to be the case) then let them sort it out.

What I am saying is…Eritrea internal problems…watch the people stranded in Lybia (women and children), Eritreans in refugee camps in Northern Ethiopia and Sudan, Eritreans in prison, Eritreans in national service, Journalists, politicians etc needs to be dealt with ASAP.

I am saying we don’t want to hear, because of BOARDER NOT DEMARCATED excuse any MORE.

You are Ethiopian, so please be in our shoes and understand our condition. You should know more than anyone else…what it means to have peace with your own people.

We want to go home, we want to visit our parents, we want live in our countries, we want breath air of freedoms in our own country and as Saleh J said..we want to enjoy the sun in our lands too…

Do NOT tell us we have to wait until…..when ever….

Berhe

Teodros Alem

Selam berhe
I understand and acknowledge what u saying about internal eritrea poltics but it is not directly related to ethiopia any more and i didn’t say anything about eri internal poltics, am talking about the two countries relationship.
And listen to 3A short message after he came back from the border area visit,

Berhe Y

Hi Teodros,

I didn’t listen to what he said…and I was responding to Nitricc when he said …the boarder needs to demarcate and waiting for PMAA to act…which his excuse for allowing IA to continue to rule they way he does.

Berhe

Blink

Dear Teodrose
It will be demarcated in the time of Abiy . The military will go back to their barracks in the near future as per Abiy interview with Fana tv .

Teodros Alem

Selam blink
They already started moving out of the area and it is good for both countries ,spacially for the people in the border areas .

Amanuel

Hi Berhe Y
I agree with Nitricc,
IA gave responsibility to Abiy and Nitricc is doing as he was told.

Blink

Dear all
The Trump administration send a stern warning to ICC and accused them of corruption and unlawful groups and will put them under sanction if in any case they try to arrest any American or their allies that participated in their war game in Afghanistan and other places . As we all know ICC is a western made court that gang up Africans . AU has to withdraw from this memberships and set up their own away this so much so new colonial will of some .

Hameed Al-Arabi

Salam Blink,

Did you get your cousins among the tplf or you are from Gondar? Isaias was distributing to you the Eritrean nationality and evacuating true Eritreans from their homeland. Not only this, he refused to return refugees, true Eritreans, to their country. Today, your god was celebrating with his cousins, the tplfs, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

Berhe Y

Hi Blink,

One word for you ነፋሒቶ as Saleh GJ latest video.

You know what I would call them ለኻብጥ

Can you please leave the opposition alone….you told us they don’t exist so why worry about them…please leave them alone.

The opposition are dying in exile and buried in exile… what more do you want…

Can’t you see? This is a classic diversion tactic so that instead of talking about the real issues as in Tegadalai Birhin, it is designed for the Forum to talk about entirely irrelevant and trivial. ንኣዝማሪኖ ወዲ ሹቕ ይግጥሞ as ma boys back in da hood used to say!

Blink

Dear Berhe
Nefahito ??? Really,did I change my stand ? I have been in this forum so you know. Yes the weyane enculturation has been there talking rubbish so I normally wouldn’t dispute their death but since you believe in the few ( just count them ) . The opposition leadership has been there but not there for real . Who are these you think are Opposition leadership? Tell me , what do I lose if one weyane brat baby dies ? I feel bad when I see young men die in Libya . Let’s say Qerenlos dies , do you think I will be sad ? No I will not , so that you know to whom I am accusing.

Berhe Y

Hi Blink,

All I am saying…leave them alone and let them die. Your case is always about the opposition while looking the other way the abuse of IA.

Please focus on our people NOW, that IA have no more enemies as in Weyane any more.

Did you not tell us that the two habesha people across Mereb will never make peace? Now they have so…what’s next

Berhe

Blink

Dear Berhe
Our people and the dictator time at power after the peace hold will be open for everyone to come to terms . Remember people were saying PFDJ will open another window for war if the border issue with Ethiopia even get closed , I believe Eritreans will reply and demand without any mercy but until this peace hold firm I tend to see the hungry belly thinking about war and war news . You have to see the Eritrean soldiers dancing and taking pictures with Ethiopian top leaders and that my friend is priceless and beyond any other way of looking at things comprehensively. PFDJ can not control the game but until that time we need a decisive cool headed opposition away from the weyane brats . This time is cleaning the house of opposition in order to have a little bit with internal forces . Remember everyone knows the opposition leadership ship where about in this 27 years just as PFDJ . No need to be more opposition than anyone sir .

Berhe Y

Hi Blink,

I really don’t know if you truly believe what you say or you just say it for the sake of it.

Let’s compare the Ethiopian opposition before PM AA invited them. Do you think they were any better than those of Eritrean opposition.

It’s quite simple really…they have no resources…they have no budget, they have no country….

How can you compare with PFDJ which is a government that has all the resources, security etc…

Berhe

Blink

Dear Berhe

You are right in a sense that forgetting people like Mr.Brhane and I hope others but think the chance we blew it, we could have been us the Eritrean people negotiating with Abiy but due to the failure of our opposition leadership we are now simply individuals looking at every open space ,the reason I am sick and tired of the opposition leadership is they have been cozying with weyane while giving the Eritrean people the middle finger and that is my good Eritrean a tragedy if not a crime . Weyane and their brats blow Eritreans chances many times than I can imagine . I still blame people like Qeronlewos from the start . Now come to the cleaning time . Eritrean opposition must clean these rifraf of weyane brats. It was just a tragedy that we all Eritreans failed to produce a collective voice against PFDJ not money issue or PFDJ being strong.

Selamat Gen Blink:
Leave that Dude alone and let him go thru and complete the phases of GRIEF!
Opposition for the sake of it,complaining and criticism for the sake of it,gossip,.defamation,endless sabotage and nonstop talks with no ACTION!
Created Just to be Hanquelti!
An Opposition that does not have a clear strategy and vision with no Centralized Leadership and with no ability to unite the desperate people anxious for unity…etc CANNOT be considered as an Oppsition let alonebto act as such!

Paulos

Good Morning My Good People,

Again, Happy New Year everyone! Did somebody say yesterday that, Isaias will step on Zalambessa town? Lo and behold, Isaias is in Zalambessa with Abiy and Debretsion! A jilted PFDJista says, that ain’t Debretsion, it is his double. And Amare says, “A luta continua.” 😳.

David Samson

Selam Paulos,

Villagers were told to prepare for today’s news by ‘Nus’ about a week ago.

You got the names mixed-up:

Debretsion and Dr Debretsion ARE NOT the same. While the former was part of ‘Gameover’, the latter is a ‘medemer’

Paulos

David,

Isaias is the one who is added for he has come to Tigrai instead. Selam Kidane tweets about a talk between diplomats in Addis where they estimate that close to half a million Eritreans may cross to Ethiopia if the border remained open. I wonder if the estimated citizens will be dubbed ተደምረዋል as well.

David Samson

Selam Paulos,
I posted similar comment below.
You ought to pretend as if you are talking to a typical, cult-type ‘Nus’ fun. Once IA emptied its youth, he has not got any one to govern. Eritrea becomes a ‘ No man’s land’, and we call it create facts on the ground for Ethiopia to claim what is lost 27 years ago.

Paulos

Selam David,

I am not a big fan of conspiracy theory but in rare times conspiracy can turn into as you put it facts on the ground.

Isaias is certainly up to something but again if all the show is a patina to ultimately compromise the nationhood of Eritrea, he will go for it only if he is sure that he climbs the ladder of power of both nations combined.

David Samson

Selam Paulos,
Why are trying to deny our Kubur President the right for pipe dream?
He has dreamt it for over 40 years, and this is one his last shot. As delusional, little did he know he has not the capacity to govern a province.

Berhe Y

Hi David and Paulos,

He is fulfilling Abiy wish and the speech he gave when he went to Asmara. He said:

1) Ethiopia airlines will fly
2) he will visit massawa and Asseb
3) by new year Ethiopians / Eritreans cross the boarder and celebrate

I never seen IA so much to do in his life in such a short time.

In any case I think we have to find ways to pressure IA and his government to focus on internal Eritrea matters.

It reminds me, what happened to Sri Lanka. When the Tamil Tigers were defeated in the last push, they were forced to surrender or abandon. And they did. The civilian have paid so much price in the process. Their dream of referendum shuttered and their cause died with it. All the powers to be, India, the UN, the West look the other way around with some humanitarian aid. There is no justice or doing the right thing but abandon them.

Our people miserly specially looking at the video coming out from Libya and the number of women and children stranded there and we have a government that doesn’t give a damn about them.

Berhe

Abraham H.

Selam Paulos, yes, to hope is human; but there is no any trace of humanity left in Isayas and his cohorts, especially towards Eritreans, I mean those Eritreans who are true Eritrean nationalists, and whose aspirations and loyalties, first and foremost lie with Eritrea, a land they have paid unparralleled sacrifices to realize. I can safely say that the criminal despot has long forgotten about those whom he has incarcerated for decades, let alone to contemplate about their release. Remember what he said about the journalist Joshua; that is how cold-blooded he is about his victims.

Paulos

Selam Abraham,

I agree the guy is cruel and cold as they come but given the pressure mounting on him, I presume he may yield to make some kind of change as in releasing prisoners, for instance. But again, unlike a bunch of fools and hopefuls like me, a brave soul is refusing to wait till the banana falls itself from the tree. Viva Tegadalai Birhin!

David Samson

Selam Nowinc,

IA has been feeding his fans the same— ‘Game over’— since 2005. The latest gimmick is meant to control their blood pressure. As his fans gradually adapt to the ‘New normal’, he reverts to the same old gimmick. Today, he will receive flowers from some Tigrayan girls, and might shake hands with some of ‘Game over’ Tigray’s officials. Again, his fans will rationalise his ‘New normal’: “After all, IA does not have any beef with Tigrayan people. At some point in the near future, IA might visit ‘Game over’ part of the game. By then he will have done a full circle, so do his fans—call it an ‘O’ turn. In the meantime, if the border is fully open(I doubt if it does), most able-body Eritreans will vote with their feet and flee to Ethiopia.

Kokhob Selam

Dear all,

Happy Ethiopian/Habesha, New Year. Happy Geez New Year .Happy Qdus Yohannes and Happy Hijari 1440..Do you noted? it is almost the same in Arabic countries…all in the same day today..Sep 11 Tuesday..Let me say —Happy New Year..

KS,,

Amde

Dear Awate friends,

I would like to wish you all a happy new year. I was going to say this is my favorite website/forum dealing with our neck of the woods, but honestly this place is closer than that to me. I know because when Samuel showed up with his super quality posts my first (unbidden) inclination was to genuinely feel happy for Saay that he just found a new buddy. And I was on no shrubbery.

Whether we call it Ge’ez or Ethiopian new year, the mountains we collectively cling to snare the waters of the Gulf of Guinea from the sky, leaving bounties on the earth and gifting Sudan and Egypt. And they measure the cycle of life with the ebb and flow of the waters our mountains seduce from the moist heavens.

This year has been unbelieveable for us Ethiopians. It is my sincere wish and hope that our Eritrean brothers and sisters start to see the blessings of peace between the two governments translate into the freedoms and the simple pleasures of going home we all cherish.

To those I have offended, I ask your forgiveness.

Amde

Paulos

Selam Amde,

Happy New Year to you too dear brother! And to all Awatistas. Great things are coming! Please forgive me if I offended you.

Dear Amde,
Happy new year to you too. You are my favourite Ethiopian and it seems no one will replace that position for the foreseeable future.

Happy Geez to all Awate forumers too. You all are the best teachers one can wish for.

Samuel

Amde

Selam Samuel,

That is quite high praise indeed and I am humbled. Thank you and my good wishes again to you and family for this new year.

Amde

saay7

Abi:

I am saying what I am noticing is instead of Abi’s message of love, mercy and reconciliation influencing the people, I am seeing, more and more, Isaias message of hate, spite, and cruelty influencing the people. And your callous message of wishing a man who has been in incommunicado prison for two decades one more decade in prison is an example of that.

saay

dawit

Good day Awatewyan,
One great crazy scientist said “doing the same thing again and again and expecting different outcome is a sign of being a gnius “!

50 years of lies against Tegadale Isaias did not change his popularity among true Eritrean people and rest of world except among liars.

Long live PIA the pride of his Eritrea! Only the Truth Make You Free!

saay7

Selamat dawit:

You forgot to add: “but having said all of that, if somehow Berhane Abrehe is crowned king, I will submit to him.” That is the logical extension of your “ዝነገሰ ንጉስና…” philosophy, remember?

saay

dawit

Dear Saleh,
I don’t have any problem following Tegadalai Minister Berhane as Eritrea if tomorrow PIA pass or resign and PFDJ appointed him. But I blieve Minister Brhane retired because of health reasons.My problem is with AT fake article based fake book claimed authored by Minister Berhanre.

saay7

Dawit:

So what you are saying is God has appointed PFDJ as His viceroy to Eritrea?

The book is real. The voice is real. The next real thing you have to do is: deal with it.

saay

Paulos

Sal,

They are going through the classic Elizabeth Kubler’s five stages of difficulties before the ultimate acceptance of extreme grief. And one of the stages before acceptance is denial as in making up stories—ንሱ ኣይኮነን፣ ድምጺ ናቱ ኣይኮነን……

dawit

Saleh
Not long ago PIA died and buried according to opposition sources. I will deal with it just like that. It is okay if the opposition get a kick out of this fake book. The news from Erlt, Eth, Somal and Djibouti is depressing for everyone in the opposition camp.

saay7

dawit,

Ah, you are changing the topic. I think you should tell your king to show Berhane Abrehe, live on EriTV to prove us all wrong. You know he can’t.

Hade beleley.

The reconciliation with Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti is all 14 year late and all of it on their terms.

Ethiopians are in Badme and in Massawa and Aseb. Their terms.

There was nothing stopping Isaias from reconciling with Somalia: all he had to do was accept the Somali government as the legitimate government and stop funding terrorists.. He wouldn’t; for years. Until he was hit by the stick of the UN (he always responds to the stick.)

Djibouti has been begging to be reconciled and he has been saying there is nothing to reconcile. Ten years later, “eshi goytay” and when the terms of the agreement are disclosed, you will see him accounting for all Djibouti POWs. Because Isaias can count on support like yours, you will never ask about Eritrean POWs, because the conflict never happened.

So, once again: deal with it. Take a glass of water if you need it.

saay

Amanuel

Hi dawit
When you cut a tree every time you hit it by Axe you chop away part of it until you get to the core, and it falls down. We are not expecting different out come, our goal is the fall of IA. All we need is millions of Axes and I invite to join, if not you will be chopped as well.

Saleh Johar

Hope,
This is either a critically malfunctioning engine, or a clinically dead organism. I give up. Thank you and I am sorry for trying.

Amanuel Hidrat

Selam Saleh,

At one point, if you understand their mission, you don’t need further engagement for people who could not sepetate their “allies” and their “enemies” and who could not act accordingly. It is the natur of the unprincipled swingers.

Aligaz G

Amanuel,

Shouldn’t you think of ways to make peace with your “enemies” especially if they are your countrymen? Who is going to be the big man who will be the first to start accommodating the “others”? I thought this was your forte?

Amanuel Hidrat

Selam Aligaz G.

Of course with our ideological adversary who are serious enough to engage to bring justice and to solve the current the predicament of our nation. I am from those who believe with out observing justice for the victims, there will never happen justice anytime anywhere with in the context of our nation. Giving amnesty to criminals is totally against justice. That is my advocacy and will continue to be. Justice for the criminals and victims should be observed to start to govern ourselves from clean slate. That is simply the criteria of good governance.

Abraham H.

Dear Aman Hidrat, I think this Hope guy is doing his often contradictory, flip floppy messages on purpose. It is not that he doesn’t understand his often conflicting messages, he is just on a mission to bore and discourage the participants in this forum, esp. those who are against the regime in Eritrea. I don’t see any other reason.

Amanuel Hidrat

Selam Abraham,

Brother, these “lots” can’t walk on both positions at the same time. They can’t be justice seekers and at the same time supporting the regime’s policy. They can’t support “Berhane” who is defying the regime and at the same time congratulate the regime and its policy. With such people you can’t make meaningful debate whatsoever. The best thing is to avoid them.

Abraham H.

Dear Aman, I actually think it is more meaningful to argue with those entrenched pfdj supporters, than with this kind of wishy washy lots. They are nothing but downers.

Amanuel Hidrat

Dear Abe,

Agreed. However wrong principle they have, it is worth to debate with the PFDJ base.

saay7

Selamat Emma:

The next big event is Isaias Afwerki in Mekele Northern Ethiopia, enroute to Addis for the IGAD meeting. I am looking to the usual reversal of roles and how Isaias meeting with Dr Debretsion (whom he met with already in Addis at Arat Kilo) will be shown as proof positive that TPLF is dead. We probably will hear the news from Ethiopian media (of course.) Today Ethiopian media told us that Eritrean and Ethiopia soldiers in the Zalambesa area celebrating Ethiopian new year together.

saay

Amanuel Hidrat

Merhaba Aya Adi’U,

He was criticized by his relative “Dr Solomon Inquay” when he bypassed Mekele during his visit Addis and Hawassa. I don’t think he will repeat it again. Second whatever he want to do in the current political discourse, he will not attain it without the blessing of TPLF and the Tigrian people. He knows it very well. So your guess will not be far from the truth. But if he does, what will be the reaction of his supporters of the last three decades.

saay7

Selamat Emma:

But if he does, what will be the reaction of his supporters of the last three decades.

This is the easiest question ever. Eri-TV has a drama series called “Meselet.” Check out the episode which aired on August 18: the dad is going to Ethiopia because he can’t wait to see his old friends in Shashemene, etc and the mom is saying please on your way stop by and get me coffee and Taff and all the best garments from Ethiopia. And nKusto bzuH selam beleley.

They flip on a dime my friend. A few years ago TPLF’s Yemane Jamaica very casually told us in an interview, in a very matter-of-fact way, Isaias is his cousin (that’s why he could speak candidly with him when he asked him to go to TPLF and spy for EPLF.) Last week another one from Mekele told us he is a cousin. Once Isaias accepts his ancestry (I don’t know why that’s a big deal) and that he doesn’t have to prove to anyone he is Eritrea because he is, all the hgdefites will be tripping over each other to disclose their cousins and second cousins in Tigray. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with any ancestry anywhere (human beings genome-wide variation is only 0.5%, never mind people in the same area with historical cross migration) but all the “Agame!” name-callers will be the first one to fess it up.

Just wait and see.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
Do u agree,
1,peace between eritrea and ethiopia means including tigrai?
2, pia made peace with the new gov of ethiopia? Not with tplf dominate eprdf?
3, pia has a problem with tplf, not with tigrai people?
4,If ur answer is yes for the above question, what is that pia did wrong?

saay7

Teodros:

Who said there is anything wrong with Isaias visiting Tigray? I said when he visits Tigray, TPLF will still be in charge of Tigray, and all the “game over” sheep will find a way in their head to rationalize it.

Otherwise, some of us have been saying the job of governments is not to define a problem but to solve it and he should have gone to Tigray or he should have allowed Hailemariam Desalegn to visit Eritrea when he offered. Some of us hated the wasted years all done to gratify the egos of egomaniacs.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
I get it but pia is a prisdent of eritrea and his visit to any part of ethiopia will be a federal gov job, right?

saay7

Teodros:

And your point is?

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
The point is, giving the history of the two nations, what is going on right now between the two countries, it is a good start and pia did a good job when it comes to the new development.

saay7

Teodros:

I never know what you are talking about. I always write you hoping there is always a first time and there never is. Good luck with your PIA, buddy. Some people have to be bitten multiple times to get it.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
So it is not about the wasted 14 some years? U think the current peace development in the region is another form of the usual back stabbing or what?

saay7

Teodros:

Happy Ethiopian New Year
Happy Geez New Year
Happy Qdus Yohannes

I am sure all the Abiymaniac Ethiopian journos in Asmara will give us all happy talk and not one will ask why the Tewahdo Church address is being given by a General Secretary and why the legal patriarch (recognized by Alexandria) will watch it from home.

saay

Teodros Alem

Selam Saay7
Thank u and happy geez new year to u too,by the way the official celebration today is the geez new year, not the religious qdus yohanes, that is the church thing only, not by the gov.

Nitricc

Hey SAAY; well the game over wasn’t mean all TPLF to be dead. The way understood it is to mean TPLF no more to manage Ethiopia and this is true. TPLF made Eritrea to suffer with no war no peace strategy and TPLF is finding it themselves at the same situation. They are wounded animals. Endargachew Tsige said best ” The hyenas are gone to the wild never to be back” it means game over to me.

Admassie

Selam SAAY,
I am always surprised and appreciate of your reading of things. Did you say IA will go first to Meqele in a way to Addis for IGAD summit? Here you have IA in Zalanbesa celebrating NewYear with the people of Tigray and TPLF!!
Admassie A.

saay7

Selam Admassie:

Thanks! The hgdefites are a bit disoriented because not everyone has gotten the hymn book. Even their demigod was disoriented: he looked unhappy that he had to share Abiy with Gameovef Dr Debre. So now they are all reading from different hymn books: Elias Amare, one of their uber spinne assured the flock it “is truly gameover for TPLF” (don’t believe your eyes: Dr Debre wasn’t fheee) and now “TPLF has to withdraw from Eritrean territories.” (The soldiers must not get their orders from their Chief Commanding Officers Abiy)

Maybe that will be their new excuse for doing nothing consider the fact it’s been over 3 months since Abiys acceptance of the Algiers Agreement. Consider all the changes Ethiopia has undergone in 3 months and NONE in Eritrea. They can’t blame their Isu so they have to blame someone now. Their anger? Their Issu keeps getting played.

saay

Berhe Y

Hi Saay,

And I have been telling you for years these die hard PFDJ lots have something that unites them, for they do anything to protect him.

Like you said, there is absolutely wrong with it because all of us hail from somewhere.

The next question is, will they leave the people alone now or they have found new lost brothers and sisters that they will double down on us more.

Berhe

Abi

Hi Saay
Saay what!!!
Isn’t it natural to find His Excellency President Isayas Afewerki in Northern Ethiopia? Why are you surprised?

Happy Ethiopian New Year to all.

saay7

Abi:

You are on time out. Sit in the corner and reflect on what you said regarding a man who has been in prison without charges for close to 20 years after he spent 20 years to liberate it, and then you wished 10 years for him in prison. He has family, just like you do.

While in the corner, turn on your flashlight and look for your humanity. I think you chewed it down with your dabo but maybe I am wrong. If you did chew it down with your humanity and you feel no remorse I will just file you with the inhumane category and this will be our last exchange.

saay

Abi

Hi Saay
This guy is in prison for stealing shipments that belong to thousands of families and businesses. Stealing should be denounced at all times and wherever they happen. I strongly believe that He is in the right place. The only time I feel sorry is if he was in prison because of his political views. Stealing is a crime punishable by prison time. A freedom fighter should refrain from stupid actions like stealing properties that others worked hard for.
He fought to liberate the country not to loot shipments that belong to families and businesses as a reward. The rightful owners worked hard for their families just like you and I do.
I consider him a thief with stars on his shoulders. You can elevate him to sainthood. I do not apologize for my stand just to have occasional exchanges with you.
Sorry.

saay7

Oh wow Abi:

And all your allegations were proven in a court of law…when? Where?

This Isaiasism is rubbing off on our Ethiopian friends so quickly. ያሳዝናል So far እናንተ ነው with hatred and spite የተደመራችሁ እንጂ ኢሱ አይደለም with love, mercy and reconciliation.

Sad really.

saay

Berhe Y

Hi Saay,

Abi goes where the wind blows. Not long ago, he hated IA guts like no other, now he is his hero.

I had the same argument when we first come to see the video of Bitweded and all he got out of that was, why he took possession of what they found in Assab. Mind you before he did what he needs to do to feed his army, he got the go ahead from his bosses (Uqbe Abraha and Sibhat Efrem).

My argument was even if he used to take the decision he made, there was nothing wrong with it, as the whole country was liberated and the damage (if you call that) collateral damage of war.

I don’t may be he was confusing him during the war if 1998, where his now darling president IA ordered to steal the goods in Asseb.

Paulos,
Are you sure of “ያንተን ጸባይ ኣይደለም”? That is him since I knew him. First I was being annoyed but once I discovered he is an expansionist Ethiopian with imperialist inclinations. I came to terms with his excesses.

Eyob Medhane

Abi,

እንኳን አደረሰህ :-

Is this really you, though? Come on brother!! The people that Isayas has thrown to dungeons are not friends of Ethiopia or Ethiopians. None of them. I think that’s where we should stop voicing what our opinion of them. You went too too too far. What you said is very cruel and not decent at all. No one. No one deserves to be thrown in a dungeon and rot there. Especially, after you saw what happened in Ethiopian prisons brought to light for the last few weeks. These men and women 1) They are human beings. 2) Just like you and me, they have families and friends. 3) I will remind you of what has been said a long long time ago

Selamat Abreham Wed Hannibal:
Hope you are feeling well and have had a complete recovery,as that has been my daily Prayer.

Show me your gut and courage by debating directly with HOPE!
Debating by proxy?
That is cowardice!
Flip-flopping and contradiction?
Show me where your facts are,not your biased and misperceptions.
I made my position crystal clear over and over and over …,but if you want to me to think ,speak and act like you want me to do so,nah,stop pushing against the wall.

If cursing and condemning the TPLF and its Mercenary Pseuo-Eritrean Opposition and SUPPORTING the PFDJ and giving credit to the same PFDJ Gand when due while fighting against its misgovernance and crimes is considered as Flip-flopping and contradictory,we’ll let it be!
I can live with that.

And who gave you the right to be the Prosecutor,the Jury and the Judge at the same time?

Don’t I have the right to say,to do and to be whatever I want to be?
If you give me two choices to pick up from the PFDJ and the Sell our Pseudo Eri Opposition,which one should I pick up?

U got it right!

Abraham H.

Selam Hope, I’m just replying to thank you for your best wishes on my health. Thanks again, I’m ok and getting better. The rest of your message, I will pass, because I’ve seen you yourself admitting your floppy nature in this very forum. You can curse and condemn the TPLF and the Eritrean opposition how much you want, but that is not going to bring any change to the better for the Eritrean people who are under the yoke of the vicious dictatorship of somone who is ashamed of his Tigrayan origins. Concentrate on how to help the Eritrean people, if you really care, instead of acting to be more Eritrean than others.

Hope

Selam Ato Amanuel Hidrat:
The “ Unprincipled Swingers and Dudes” are the ones,who adore the bloody enemies of Eritrea.

I don’t adore any ONE BUT GOD!
I follow both Universal Principles and my own Principles and gut feelings!

Nop,did you hear me?
Principled and SANE Eritreans do NOT respect let alone to adore the Bloody Enemies of Eritrea and Eritreans.

I never went to Hawassa or Debrezeit or Mekelle to beg those bigots and idiots so as to help me to create a Puppet Eri Gov!

“Tehatsinka Nab Chikka and kemnshonti themed nidihrit..”???

HELL NO!

That is Un-Eritrean and Un-EPLF!

Hope

Selam SGJ:
Hope you don’t mean that HOPE is a “ Critically malfunctioning Engine or a clinically DEAD organism”!

If that is your message,God bless you buddy!

Glad you finally realized that you have been pushing against the wall.

haileTG

Selamat awate,

Thanks for this timely article. It is true that Berhane’s case is unique in its approach and the reaction it is getting from the regime. Berhane is a beacon of fredom at this juncture. So, your call to support him is important and critical. The question is rather what or how can this support be done? Here are my personal thoughts:

1) Iconic image: Berhane’s image needs to be brought forth to public view and fixed there to focus and capture the call for change. This involves social media, placards, website bg images, video, audio, music, art, demo…. This will create a fast track transformation of Berhane’s image from a person to a public figure at the center of a popular movement. He becomes a rallying point of the call for IA to vacate quickly.

2) Media: this would involve major media outlets to add voice and put pressure to maintain the momentum. It can also include extended interviews on opposion or other media to feed public curiousity.

3) task force of grassroot organization to plan activities to energize and give speed and strength to Berhane’s move.

Remember that Ato Berhane is 74 yo. His idea is great but the opposition youth must supply the life energy for it to gain sufficient traction.

Is this comment that accuses an individual without evidence, allowed here? Should it be moved to tesfanet or meskerem instead?

Consolation

Hello HaileTG,
This is evidence that the voice in the video purporting to be that of Berhane Abrehe is that of Ogbai Ghebremedhin. I know u don’t like it. But that is what it is. Lying will get you nowhere. If you want to get rid of IA, stop lying! That is all I am saying. 20 years of serive to ther Weyanes got you nowher. Lewarn from your mistakes. Otherwise you re doomed to eternal failure.

haileTG

Cosolotion,
As you are accusing the man whom I don’t know personally, can you give me your voice analysis deligence? Or the sound similar to you and that gives you full right to accuse him and violate his rights as per your whims?

Consolation

Hello TG,

My ears are the best voice analyzers . Nothing artificial can match them. Close your eyes and listen to the two voices and you will get it.

haileTG

Consolation,

Suppose it turns out you judged it incorrectly, then isn’t Ato Okbasellasie a private citizen being accused and tarnished in this website by unknown caller? You have to have more than your ears to accuse Begi’E is behind it.

Hameed Al-Arabi

Salam Consolation,

The primitive says, “My ears are the best voice analyzers”.

Saleh Johar

Hello HaileTG,
You are right this forum should not be a medium for spreading PFDJ distracting and troll messages. If you noticed, lately there has been a flood of porn links coming from the PFDJ troll training centers. I am glad one of the moderators took care of that.

Consolation

Hello Gadsi,

So what u don’t like is not allowed. The reason I posted it is so that you guys can get an alternative view of things. U have been talking to one another for 20 years and going nowhere. It is about time u woke up from that rip van winkilian slumber.

Saleh Johar

Consolation,

You need consolation and the fact that you are accusing as you wish and here is you post for anyone to read. You should know by now.

Hope

Selamat Haile TG:

:Are you serious ?

What is wrong with the above comment?

If you believe he is wrong,refute or challenge his narration.

Why and how in the world do you expect us to believe everything people tell us here?

I was waiting until I read the book but am being forced to comment based on the confusing reports popping up right and left

But here is my position:

Wether the book in question is written by the Vet Birhane Abrehe or not,the messages from the alleged excerpts are facts that need to be dealt with-the sooner the better.

We have had tons of old and new direct and indirect/Circumstantial/Evidence to that effect!

The major issue is:

Why have Eritrea and Eritreans remained so WEAK and divided NOT to challenge this BEAST,who apparently has done everything in front of our eyes and ears to destroy and/or “sell” that PRECIOUS Nation called Eritrea.

The Article/Edotorial is incomplete as it doesn’t tell us as to why all the attempts it listed to bring change have failed besides not giving us a hint as to what the solutions might be!

Our problems is NOT about having info about what Eritrea and Eritreans have gone through and what the BEAST has done to Eritrea and Eritreans!

Amused that I see and read lots of congratulatory messages!

For?
What TANGIBLE success have we achieved to congratulate and to be congratulated for and about?

What I see rather is that the BEAST is moving FASTER than ever;and getting RICHER and STRONGER than ever to achieve his alleged hidden agenda !

Hope this propaganda of Meddemer is rather about Economic Integration among the IGAD Nations,which seems to be the case!

Granted,as much as the BEAST is moving fast in the best and miraculously strongest possible way,we need to do better so as to catch up and really challenge him so that the BEAST shall not succeed in “selling” the nation,if we strongly believe that,that is the case!

You listed few strategies but you missed more of them.

We need an organized, centralized responsible,transparent and accountable Leadership.
Appealing to Opposition Figures and Groups?
Who are they ?

How can we help them and how can we be part of them and part of the solution rather than talking and acting like…,,,,,

We have tried it before but we belittled them as PFDJ-II and Winter or Summer Projects!

Didn’t we?

Am talking about other Birhane Abrehes…..

Case in point:

The Medrekh Group (Drs Tekheste Fkadu,Andeberhan W..),Gen Mesfin Hagoses ,the Amb Adhanom’s,the EPDP Leadership ,etc..were/are even more open and stronger than the case of Min Birhane Abrehe!

Well,if we meant that we have learnt our lessons from past mistakes ,Kudos to us and Enhe Meda Enehe Feres!

But time is running against us!
ACTION !

Saleh Johar

Dear Hope (and others who might be in his situation.)

You may sense that I have a soft spot for Kerenites, my regionalism kicks in and deep inside, I want to help you when I think I can.:-)

Your comment of today was long but regardless, I decided to read it attentively and gave it enough time from my lunch break. I hope you do not take it lightly. Therefore, I will try to dissect your comment and give you my feedback. Please take it in the spirit I am wring it.

1. “If you believe he is wrong,refute or challenge his narration.”

You tend to interfere in topics selectively. I think you should leave challenging and refuting open and not inadvertently show bias. Let it go natural, if there is challenging or refuting, let it come naturally.

2. “Why and how in the world do you expect us to believe everything people tell us here?”

No one forces anyone to accept or reject an opinion, but writers write to express their views and to influence—that is the idea behind providing an opinion or viewpoint. So, your comment is off mark.

3. Wether the book in question is written by the Vet Birhane Abrehe or not,the messages from the alleged excerpts are facts that need to be dealt with-the sooner the better.”

What more would you want to have if what is provided is not enough for you to take a position? I think all the information is out there and what is left is either to discard it as a lie or accept it and move on. I don’t think it is honest to require more evidence than what is provided so far. How about Berhane’s son reading part of the book in public? He did that in DC a few hours ago.

4. “Why have Eritrea and Eritreans remained so WEAK and divided NOT to challenge this BEAST,who apparently has done everything in front of our eyes and ears to destroy and/or “sell” that PRECIOUS Nation called Eritrea.”

Everybody is doing his best but sometimes, those who do are fought, belittled, and defamed by those who are supposed to be allies against the “BEAST”. So, those who do are facing the “strong” PFDJ frontally, and from the supposedly allies from behind. We are not weak but weakened by our own who cannot decide who their ally and who their adversary is.

5. “The Article/Editorial is incomplete as it doesn’t tell us as to why all the attempts it listed to bring change have failed besides not giving us a hint as to what the solutions might be!”

“The Article/Editorials” have been at it for almost two-decades but some have made a conscious decision not to listen. And there is no solution that was not proposed, no event not explained over the years. Also, and editorial of 1500 is topical not a treatise that should contain all the wishes you have. Context is appealing for support to Berhane who is sticking his neck and it stayed in topic and in context. But there was no editorial or article that was written and didn’t receive unexplainable fault-finding jabs from you-know-who.

6. “Our problems is NOT about having info about what Eritrea and Eritreans have gone through and what the BEAST has done to Eritrea and Eritreans!”

True because every information provided is trashed without reason, impulsively. So, those who trash any information they see shouldn’t ask tailor-made information that fits their whims. Fairness is the rule.

7. “Amused that I see and read lots of congratulatory messages!”

Is it a bad thing that activists congratulate each other when they see someone defiantly and bravely articulate their demands? Of course, they cannot mourn such an action is should be celebrated. Think about it, there is nothing wrong in celebrating such a development.

8. “What TANGIBLE success have we achieved to congratulate and to be congratulated for and about?”

Please check #7 above.

9. “Hope this propaganda of Meddemer is rather about Economic Integration among the IGAD Nations,which seems to be the case!”

You are about to lose me here, but I will be patient and persist. First, I am glad you recognize it as propaganda and if you remember, I have said it so many times, I do not know anyone poised against what you call the “BEAST” who is against peace or economic development. Economic integration requires a process that the stakeholders should be part of. Peace beyond the border requires peace inside the border to be workable. That is what people are opposing. “The BEAST” cannot decide the fate of a country whimsically, and in the absence of “power” people use the tools of persuasion, information and related tools. You don’t want them to raise arms and g violent, do you? Then, what we are doing as activists is the best way and the less costly way—I believe you oppose violence!

10. Granted,as much as the BEAST is moving fast in the best and miraculously strongest possible way,we need to do better so as to catch up and really challenge him so that the BEAST shall not succeed in “selling” the nation,if we strongly believe that,that is the case!”

I do not know how strong he is getting, “Miraculously” but I would like you to please think if that statement, coming from someone who opposed the “BEAST”, is an encouraging statement or a demoralizing statement “We need an organized, centralized responsible, transparent and one? What is the purpose of it? What do you think is the art of opposing a regime, by extoling it, giving it morale?

Here let me elaborate. If we recognize we have a BEAST in Eritrea, we have to be resolute to remove it. We should stop playing the role of neutral judges and be engaged with determination. If we are out to fight the monster, we should not go there carrying a basket of meat because we are worried the BEAST might be hungry and we must feed it. No. We should starve it.

Also, we have to weigh our actions and statements: does it help my allies, as diverse as they are but all fighting to rid my country of the BEAST, or my actions will group me with the appeasers of the BEAST—those who walk to the BEAST with sacrificial lambs, their supposedly allies who want to rid Eritrea of the BEAST. Please reflect on that.

11. “Appealing to Opposition Figures and Groups? Who are they ?”

At this time, the opposition to the BEAST is a free franchise license. Just like Little Caesar or Subway franchise, all owned by individuals. But the opposition franchise if free—you can have your own. That is on the individual level As a group, I agree with you there has to be a consolidated umbrella and an effective structure. But we can get there only when everyone owns a franchise of his own and considers himself an opposition to the BEAST and try to get close to the other franchise owners. But if one keeps insulting, belittling, defaming an demoralizing his allies, those who operate under the same brand as his, we can never get the consolidate form you are asking for.

12. “How can we help them and how can we be part of them and part of the solution rather than talking and acting like…,,,,,”

For one, we should stop your jabs. Our relentless attack. Think about it, for every mild criticism against=the BEAST, the opposition gets ten-fold. Why? The answer will help you see the problem clearly.

13. “We have tried it before but we belittled them as PFDJ-II and Winter or Summer Projects!”

Anything that breaks or attempts to break the franchise chain, will be attacked, with evidence and determination to protect the opposition franchise, not to support the BEAST. There is a difference between an attack in defense and support of the e BEAST and one in support of the opposition spirit. You be the judge, fairly.

14. “Am talking about other Birhane Abrehes…..

Good. Talk about Berhane Abrehe, support his moves and refrain from casting doubts that is against his move as he is poised against the BEAST. And celebrate that we have one more gallant man doing that in the character of Berhane.

What is the use and benefit of that statement to the opposition? Nothing. But the above points explains to you why they were not able to affect the much expected change—they had to fight back the distractors who are supposed to be their allies. But some criticisms in defense of the opposition is legitimate, Nothing is wrong if it is in defense of the opposition and against the BEAST

16. “Well,if we meant that we have learnt our lessons from past mistakes ,Kudos to us and Enhe Meda Enehe Feres!”

See! You are challenging your allies, condescendingly. You are basically saying, “we will see what you are able to achieve”. And that final gesture of your spoils every positive thing you said. Why spoil it, HOPE!

Apart from that, if you openly think about what I said, I am sure you will understand the problems that are hindering the opposition. This is the time to be engaged as part of the WHOLE and not watch from the table of a judge. One is either engaged or not—and indeed ”time is running against us!” and we are expected to be wiser, compassionate, and determined. No shadow should eb allowed between black and white.

Thank you if you read this far .

Beremberas Hantal

hello Haile and all others tangled in this..[xxxxxx],
You see, whenever there is some tangible and serious threat to the regime they will send one of their best and worst to the field of conspiracy campaign and you guys don’t learn a lesson at all, you just go along and give them what they wanted, This is a serious matter that has been presented to us by this honorable man Berhane Abrehe and pls try to understand that the Monkey and his team are out in full force to distract this matter which could be detrimental to their existence.
My take on this, Awate shouldn’t have entertained this kind of trashy post, but what makes it worse is the people who take pride on interacting with distractors who are giving them what they wanted, why can’t you just ignore them and just stick on the subject matter which by now the timely article by awate team became a secondary issue just like the border demarcation.
Shame on all of you for not waking up and know the name of the game.
With due respect let me say it again, Shame On Those who are entertaining this idiot.
May God/Allah, who comes first be with you my Hero Ato Berhane Abrehe.
Go hit me now.
Beremberas Hantal.

haileTG

Merhaba Beremberas Hantal,

I understand your frustration with this unnecessary exchanges, but it is hoped to show that when an ordinary fellow Eritrean is violated in that way, we need to make the habit of calling the abuser out. We need to inculcate my brother’s keeper mentality that the evil hgdef undermined among Eritreans.

Berhane has proved that much by what he is doing. So, don’t lose heart. There is time to ignore and time to challenge…just stay alert and present at all times…knitehalalow ena diqas yelen😃

beremberas hantal

Merhaba Haile,
ignore ignore, is the way to frustrate this idiot…now he is going back and forth with you and others and i don’t have a choice but read it and the frustration is on me and you all. with respect. thx.

Hope

Selam BH:
I disagree partially with your advice.
U don’t ignore suck kind of “ well equipped and the best “idiots”!
You rather counter attack them with EVIDENCE and EMBARRASS them so that they will not come back to confuse you!

Desbele

Selam Beremberas,
You nailed it. This is something that i dont understand. Other wise intelligent people falling a prey for a deliberate distraction by monkey messengers.
One of their common distraction methods is to post irrelevant topics right at the top of the comments section of an article.
Skipping them is the best medicine.

saay7

Desbele Haile TG and all:

What a perfect excuse to share a message from Abrar Osman and his new song. The last verse:

ኣብ ክሳድ ሓዝ: ኣብ መትከልካ ቀጥ በል
ኣብ ጏል ነገር ግዜኻ ኣይትቕተል

There are a lot of ጔል ነገር experts: trolling has become a science.

Saay

beremberas hantal

Hi Desbele,
Right on brother, the thing is how do we educate our Awatista brothers and sisters. This is your project my brother…thx

Blink

Dear Desbele
Remember there is no limit unless you stop at your own , I know very smart people of this forum make outlandish claims and sometimes made pure lies . I know they are smart but they have been making lies over lies. The fact that people with questionable background about this try to blame others as “ trolls “ is not new . Where are the 28 people dead , where do they see the helicopter, where do they got the lies about Somalia and many other things . The value you and your kinds developing is no value to any society. This is not to say you are not smart enough to know the game but hi , keep stressing.

Paulos

Selam Desbele,

Good catch. I say, ዓፈርፈር* ይበሉ ንግደፎም. Let’s focus on the real deal. Even if Berhane was to do a visual video message, they would conjure up an outrageous denial. So much!

*Just remembered, here is the fun science behind the word “ዓፈርፈር”

The rabbis virus is a nasty but very smart virus. I am sure you have heard of someone who was bitten by a stray-dog in Asmara and got ኣርብዓ መርፍእ afterwards. The virus particularly infects the salivary glands which are found in the mouth and that is the reason the person becomes frothy with ዓፍራ ጥፍጣፍ but before the infected dog goes on attacking people, the dog gets infected in the salivary gland as well and gets frothy. The smart virus makes its way from the salivary gland to the brain where it manipulates the brain and intentionally makes the dog extremely aggressive so that the dog attacks people in a bid the virus finds another host—people. The dog gets angry and aggressive with a frothy mouth hence—-the term “ስቕ ኢልካ ዓፈርፈር ኣይትበል ዓፋሪ.”

Nitricc

Hi Paulos; you said ” Let’s focus on the real deal.” I am just wondering what the big deal it might be. What is the real deal?

Amanuel Hidrat

Nitrickay,

Let me help Doctore. You asked what is the real deal: “Berhane Abrehe and his call” is the real deal.

Nitricc

Hey Amanuel; I was thinking like, demobilizing the army, publicly end the timeless military service, free prisoners and back to Eritrean political business. Those are the real deal for me. Since you guys waste your time on one person book or opinion, for they are nothing.

Haile S.

Selam Paul,
Monsieur touche-à-tout ቱሽ-ኣ-ቱ (jack of all trades, ለኻፍ ኩሉ :-)), you just invented a tigriNa name for Rabies. Instead of ሕማም ዕቡድ ከልቢ, we better call Rabies ተናኻሲ ዓፈርፈር. Then Pseudo-rabies (Aujeszky’s disease) will be called ዘይናኸስ ዓፈርፈር.

Paulos

Selam Hailat,

First time I heard about the virus was in school but of course, about the 40 ክንዲ ማሕረሻ ዝኣክል መርፍእ was back in ዕዳጋ ሓሙስ ኣብ እንዳ ዓለቦይ where they had one nasty crazy azz stray dog where later on ሙኒቺፕዮ had to put him down for it was infected with Rabies.

Then, in later years it occurred to me and I have to admit that the reason we say ዓፈርፈር ኣይትበል must be related to a Rabies infected dog where it gets really aggressive with a foamy mouth. Didn’t know and never heard of the mild type you just mentioned. Thanks for the lesson.

P.S. Do you remember the pick up truck that went around in search of stray-dogs to put them down. It was either owned by ሙኒቺፕዮ or sub-contracted to a private company to do just that. I wonder if that was animal abuse? And the flip side shows how far ahead and modern Asmara was till it was sent back to the stone ages by someone with an aversion to anything good.

Haile S.

Paul,
I remember very well that municipal pick-up truck, the man (new his name or ሳጓ, just doesn’t come now) and his long rope/sling. We use to run after him to watch the dog catching. The dogs were quaranteened in separate cells till an owner comes to claim or eventually euthanized. In between they were visited by the veterinary services. Paul, you are talking of the old good time when there was law for dogs. For historical intetest, let me tell you that in the local regional laws in Eritrea, certain rights of animals were clearly spelled. For example, if my memomry doesn’t betray me, in ሕጊ ኣድግና-ተገለባ (ኣከለ-ጉዛይ, just happens to be I am not a region-oriented at all), if someone hunts a Gazzella using a dog, the lower parts of the limbs must be given to the dog, by law, ብ ዝባን ንጉስ!

Paulos

Selam Hailat,

You’re something! Really. We are blessed to be in this great Forum to be in the company of amazing citizens like yourself with a wealth of life experiences and treasured stories as well. It is just amazing to learn how the penal code or legal code was not only inclusive but saw animals in themselves as well. Do I hear one say, ሎሚ ኣሽንኳይዶ እንስሳ ሰብ ወድሰብ ከማን መሰረታዊ መሰል ስኢኑ። What a tragedy!

Haile S.

Paul,
What you saud applies to you and many others. ወዲ ቃዲ ዘይእክቦ የብሉን!

Saleh Johar

HaileS,
Do you know that I am traumatized by dogs? I would rather face a tiger, or a snake that I hate next to dogs. I have never came close to a did since I last petted one for seconds before it jumped on me. I still hate dogs. The traumatizing story in in my book of kings and bandits. So, I had no qualms as a child, when they rounded up dogs. I felt I could lead them to all the houses that have dogs so that they can clean the neighborhood of their menacing presence. Dogs and saxephone!

Haile S.

Selam Saleh,
What happened to you happened to my son. He never wanted to come close to a dog because he was traumatized by a tiny poodle when he was 2. This poodle came behind him and licked his foot, just to play. That day his heart almost came out of his chest. In our neighbourhood allmost everybody has a dog and we had to fight with every parent why they would want to bring the dog to the schoolbus area, for example. It was difficult to manage and calm down our son. I did everything to make him at easy, going to the pet-shops, he rather feed the Giraffe in the zoo rather than coming close to a dog. It didn’t work. I and his sister were prevented from having a dog because of him (and mom BTW, shshsh…) for >8 long years. Finally six years back, his sis succeeded in convincing him when he agreed to buy a baby dog. When we had her she was 2 months old, a miniature Schnauzer. Miniature Schnauzer din’t shed hair thus much less or hypo-allergenic. The first week, she use to cry everynight because of the separation from her mom. My son’s attachement started then. He couldn’t sleep. After she learned her outings & P&P she started sleeping with him or his sis. BTW, they enjoy her warmth, but it is me and mom who share the chores. One of my best regular activities I enjoy is walking her few kilometers every Saturday and Sunday.
Saleh, you can do the same. Go to the pet shops. Pet the very young or have one. I guarantee you of the warmth you will receive. Whenever I come home she is the one who receives me and we talk for some seconds. My children get jealous and say dad!! how about us. I tell them come with your four limbs on the floor and waggle your tail!

Aligaz G

Haile S,

Saleh needs a pet as close as possible to a camel. Since he lives in SoCal I recommend alpacas. Instant magic with the ladies.

cheers

Haile S.

Selam Aligaz,
Good talking to you. I am not sure if Saleh will be okay with the spitting. It seems it is their way of barking when irritated

Aligaz G

Haile,

At his age you can’t desensitize his fear of dogs even with schnauzers. With alpacas he has a ready supply of prime wool for his italian suits and a pack animal (for small packs) plus a really gentle companion. Anyway he is accustomed to hissing and spitting running awate.

Haile S.

Aligaz,
You are funny! You are right, he may come on the back of an Alpaca on his his next talk!

Aligaz G

Haile,

Ha ha. I bet he is burning his computer right now looking for alpacas. He needs to look for a certified ranch. Improperly socialized alpacas are a handful and will terrify the ladies. Not good

Saleh Johar

Aligaz,
You are funny, good with the ladies? Your advice came a few decades late 🙂

I am curious and I know the ugly Alpacas that I thought were baby Llamas. No? I would rather keep my space–these monsters need half my living space. Shifa yegberelka, as my folks say 🙂

Aligaz G

Saleh,

Learn how to lurk and laugh. You just spoiled the fun by jumping in both feet first. This proves you are a suitable candidate for a starter herd of two pacas. Anyway since it’s all about the ladies you can now park the huracan and pull up on a designated paca of the day as Haile suggested. I pity the man who can’t laugh at himself.

Saleh Johar

Oh Aligaz,
Sorry.

Aligaz G

Dear Saleh,
You are truly a gentle soul. Much respect and melkam 2011 to you!

Hi Paulos, HaileS, and all,
I also remember seeing dogs being shot by municipal workers but the system worke in all aspects of life.

One of the things that makes me embarrassed and sad is the state of the justice system. The late mohammed Saeed naud in one of his books narrate the proceedings of the trial of Mahber Shewaate prisoners – lawyers, arguing cases and appeals. I have see that as a child but the copies of court documents in that book blew my mind. I also knew the most famished mahver 7 prisoner the late Adem melekin whom I once interviewed and I just couldn’t believe why we couldn’t have a justice system in Eritrea. It sad that we have to remember this days of occupation in such a way.

Paulos

Selam Ayay,

Just curious, was it in Asmara that you saw dogs getting shot by the municipal people? And I am not sure if I understood your comment correctly when you said, their lawyers arguing cases and appeals…are you applauding the system for allowing them to be represented by lawyers in comparison with the kind of system we have today?

Saleh Johar

Paulos,
I have seen the shooting (gntsil) in Keren and the noise sling in Asmara.

It’s not universal because they also burned down villagers but in the early sixties there was a rule of law when there were British judges and brave and able lawyers like the late Abiy Mewael and another famine lawyer whose name skips me now—but I know of his son who lives in Canada. Then, there was a functional court system.

Bonus story: a boy if about 17 was brought by the police to a court (misdemeanor) where his cousin was the judge. The judge passed the sentence” on the power vested by Janhoi bla bla, the court sentences you to a ten day jail term”
The guy objected loudly, : “vaAlikha feridkkas nab Janhoi tesabebo!”
This is a true story by the way.

Paulos

Ayay,

Oh ok. Got it. Thank you.

David Samson

Selam Paulos,
In a twisted logic of PFDJ’s land, some animals have more rights than humans. Do you know if you kill a hyena, you are sentenced to two-years impressment? I know there are millions of hyenas in Eritrea, but some one told me GOE has exported some hyenas from Kenya (difficult to believe). There have been many fatalities in the villages surrounding the outskirts of Asmara. Since food is very scarce in Eritrea, the hyenas have left with no other options, but to come too close in contact with the villagers thereby ending up eating humans.

Paulos

David,

For real? Why would they wanted to import Hynas in the first place? Please forgive me, I don’t mean to get too technical but sometimes, predators are intentionally introduced into a certain “Trophic Food Chain” if with in the chain certain species are disadvantaged to the extent of being on a verge of extinction.

For instance, if Rabbits are overwhelmingly plenty and are eating up certain crops, a predator can be introduced into the ecological nitche in a bid to decrease the number of Rabbits so that the crop can be salvaged. Not sure if that was the case for importing Hynas. Maybe?

David Samson

Selam Paulos,
I am running late from work or even got drunk and walking in the wee hours in Adi Gaedad’s high way. I see a hungry hyena is approaching me. If I have a gun, to save my life, I will shoot the animal. Next morning, I am in prison. This is a not a fiction, it is real in PFDJ’s land.

Selam Desbele,
I did not believe the story either. I am wondering though why the joke is somehow linked with imported hyenas as if Eritrea does not have its own scavengers .

Abi

Hi David Samson
You have no clue how lucky you are that the hyenas in your city are roaming only at night. The ones that roam the streets of Addis and other cities during daylight are the most vicious.

David Samson

Selam Abi,

Our continent has been a leading expert in cloning hyenas. While the old hyenas might have retreated to ‘Dedebit’, the newly cloned whom speak with different tongues will soon take over ‘Sheger’. As all bets are off, I will not put my money on any breads of hyenas. I am a risk-averse block.

Hameed Al-Arabi

Salam Consolation,

You are saying the books and voice are not of Tegadalai Berhane Abrehe. That is good, but you have to give us a clear proof to stand by your side. As a supporter of the regime in Eritrea you have a media that can make anything clear. I think, you can refute all those lies by bringing Tegadalai Berhane Abrehe appear in the Eritrean TV and tell the people of Eritrea that all what they heard from the opposition is fake. You have to do that or you are a phony (ምስሊ) Eritrean.

Greetings
Historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich makes a beautiful observation about the reconstruction of history, which speaks to Birhane’s work,
“In the heat and confusion of events, people on all sides of an issue mine old stories for inspiration, enlightenment, or confirmation. Their efforts add to the layers of understanding attached to the original events, shaping what later generations know and care about. Scholars sometimes call these popular reconstructions of the past “memory” to distinguish them from formal history. But serious history is also forged in the tumult of change. History is not just what happened in the past. It is what later generations choose to remember.” (xxii)
Professor Carolyn G. Heilbrun reminds students of literature that, “Acting to confront society’s expectations for oneself requires either the mad daring of youth, or the colder determination of middle age.
This is one good moment for Eritreans-must-support-Berhane-Abreh
It will be great gross injustice to give opinion about Berhane’s latest book and I wrote yesterday in great length about HOPE and future.
Quotation (The dilemma of Eritrean is further compounded by many among them realizing the source of the problem compromising the potentials of Eritrean worlds’ advancement in a deeply competitive world; yet, fail to muster the courage of conviction to initiate the process and embark on a rallying march for profound Eritrean transformation.
Except for a very few of Eritrean intellectuals possessing the intellectual integrity to engage in persistent drive at reform, begin the process of socio-political transformation, blazing the trial for future generations, however, a continuing unholy alliance of dictator state.
When to come to Eritrea the past is not dead it is present in every sense; some of it is people who are deeply sleeping in coma. The current nightmare and daylight daymares that we are having arise out of present Asmara murders lodged deep in our past and present that have continued into the future. No amount of feigned amnesia will erase the bloody truth of IA/PFDJ HOROR history, understandably being human, the cheap grace we bestow upon ourselves. We been for long time being feeding on great tapestry of all kind of lies that surrounds us, hard to believe lies uttered by IA nihilistic and Era media mouthpieces for some time. Some have dead consciences for not acknowledging being active accomplices in the suppression of truth and the vicious murdering of Eritreans.
Believe in hope that despite the enormous odds which exist today, unflinching, unswerving, fierce intellectual determination, as active good citizens, to define the real honest truth of our lives and our country, our societies is a crucial obligation which devolves and depend upon Eritreans all of us. It is a realty and in fact mandatory only then change will come.
Today I see HOPE at the same time Birhane’s is one of bright light to come . Birhane’s is one of the most truly courageous man and be would be hard-pressed to deny that the destinies of these great a political actor were inextricably intertwined with the history of the state of Eritrea .Birhane’s Eritrea who have been visible in the public arena. Birhane’s in his ability of a conventional, and hopefully a truly progressive man whose work was a powerful assertion of his convictions. Birhane’s destiny offered more possibility that most men of his generation could envision for themselves. Birhane’s profile and credentials and accomplishments will dominate the new narrative , Moreover, it is precisely in such periods and under such circumstances that work of this kind is particularly necessary, But what practical steps Birhane’s must take toward the desired outcome. It is never too late to form secrete and well put organization in times of mass demonstration and public explosion and open outbursts. The organization party must be in a state of total alert and readiness to launch activity at a moment’s notice. Birhane’s experience and his inner colleagues know what they are doing With a strong organization skilled in waging real strong enough to bring political struggle and bring change and under all circumstances and at all times, there can be no question of that systematic plan of action, illumined by firm principles and steadfastly carried out, of which Birhane’s alone is worthy of brining real change hopefully. Birhane’s must demonstrate his readiness – not only to ask IA to stepdown is not enough ,But summons to political struggle, but to engage in battle for change .no knows at this early stage It is quite possible that the regime will collapse under a turn of events sparked by mass spontaneous demonstration and country wide outbursts. However, no one Birhane’s political skill and organization that may be Birhane’s wishes to avoid adventurous gambles can base its activities on the anticipation of such outbursts and complications. Birhane’s must steadfastly carry on mad build real political skill and organization on short time work, and Birhane’s must be extra careful result of the unexpected being immaturely be caught unaware by IA tags.

Hi Awate team
Please review the following statement “Immedaitly after the liberation of Eritrea, combatants went on strike demanding their rights to be respected. The strike was triggered as soon as Isaias announced that all combatants were expected to continue working with no pay for the next two-years until 1993 when a planned referendum was to be carried out. In an unprecedented move, the combatants arrested Isaias and took him to the Asmara stadium where he sweet-talked his way out to freedom. Soon after, many of the combatants who were suspected of instigating the strike were either arrested, or disappeared, or eliminated, or silently liquidated.”
I was there and the strike was after referendum, it was in April 1993. Isaias was not arrested. It was decided the meeting to be held at Asmara Stadiim. Isaias was leading the meeting. The questions asked could be summarised as follows
1) Salaries
2) Election ( EPLF 3rd congress)
3) Corruption, specially among high ranking leaders
Thanks

Hope

Selam Aman:
Am glad u picked it up!

Was tempted to “ correct” but u know who I am.
Did u study /take “Psychic” Course in London?
FYI:
Am not one of the EPDP Leadership but WAS a die-hard supporter and an under ground member of.

I was embarrassed to death after its disintegration,the Eritrean Political Orgs style!
Were u talking about Dr Akhlilu?

Ismail AA

Selam Awate Team,

This call should gather pace and become a national call. Every free and liberated Eritrean should rally behind this call. Regardless of anything else, Berhane should be the focus – a nationally safeguarded focus. Let every Eritrean patriot add his/her voice to this call and create impregnable shield of trust and solidarity behind Berhane.

Today, Berhane’s call in September 2018 amounts in meaning and purpose the great Hamid Idris Awate’s first shot at Mt. Adal in September 1961. The latter’s heralded the long and arduous journey to liberate land and people; the former’s is a herald hopefully a short journey to shatter the chain of bondage – liberation of Eritrea’s human being. Thank you AT.

Paulos

Selam Awate Team,

Thank you for the excellent editorial. It is imperative to emphasize the uniqueness of Birhane’s truimph in history. Yes and a million times yes, it is an extraordinary triumph of history and in history. It is unique simply because he called him out with in six degrees of separation from where Isaias roams around!

I see the day, the rise of the “Great Revival.” If the collective hang up had been on who will put a bell on the cat’s neck, Birhane has done it. And not only that, he assured us with a defiant and unshakeable but confident voice that there is no turning back till Isaias steps down. Again, Birhane is not asking him to step down, he is telling him instead. Birhane is not telling him to call for reforms. Birhane is telling him to step down instead!

marsa

Hi all,
I was waiting to read such detailed information about this fearless author and, of course, that did happen. Thanks Awate Team

Peace!

Hi marsa,

I think reading his books can help bring your waiting to an end. Just curious how long have you been waiting?